Riding AGAIN - Please Support Me

Please support me in the Tour de Cure!

The ride is all about giving back and celebrating. In my way I have decided to be Team Captain for TEAM FINN this year. I have big shoes to fill in taking over for Big Red (Dave Cannell). Guess I am best described as Medium Grey.

In August of 2024 (24th and 25th) I will be embarking on a cycling challenge. I have committed to participate in the Tour de Cure presented by Wheaton Precious Metals to help BC Cancer Foundation break down cancer. Once again we will try to reach HOPE with hopes that mother nature cooperates this year. Cloverdale to Chilliwack, Chilliwack to HOPE (two days of celebration with 100 KMS+ per day).

Whether it was the Tour Of Courage (back in 2007 when I was diagnosed), The Westside Cycling Challenge, The Ride to Conquer Cancer, and now The Tour de Cure. It is coming up upon 20 years before I know it that I have been asking for your support. Multiple rides have had every type of weather but each year I am truly honoured to ride for FINN and for those who love him. I have met hundreds of people - Team Finnsters, other riders, volunteers, the great people of the BC Cancer Foundation, and SURVIVORS.

I RIDE THIS YEAR IN HONOUR AND SUPPORT OF A GREAT WOMAN - JANET KO (TAVERNER). Janet is the mother of Kianna, who is the longtime partner of my son Reilly. Janet over the years (she would have to tell her OWN story) has valiantly battled cancer with grace, poise, and inhumane strength. As I type this she is actively going through treatment. Please support Janet as we RIDE FOR A CURE IN THE "TOUR de CURE".

It will be hard and it will be long, but it does not compare to the challenge of facing cancer.

My wife, Marsha, endured the ravages of cancer and treatment over two years (2021-22). We have been lucky as treatment and care for both of us from BC Cancer has allowed us to move on with our lives. Still marvel at our kids dealing with diagnoses of both parents in their formative years.

My old white t-shirt I wear on the two days of the annual ride still hold the names of survivors on my back (pushing me when things get tough) and those who have died due to cancer on the front (close to my heart where I can remember them for their strength and courage).

SURVIVORS I RIDE FOR:

Myself, Marsha, Pam Chace, Hans Kaltenegger, Allan Calderwood, Paul Metz, Gus Yep, Warren Tutkaluke, Mandy Johnson, Steve Korsa, Laura Ball, Susan Ellis-White, Margot Sutcliffe, Ross Ens, Paddy Baumann, Brenda Porter, Jill Brown, Bob Feist, Ted Loucks, Scott Riddell, Julia Ford, Judy Johns, and others that I may have forgotten (let me know and i can add more names here - GLADLY).

THOSE CLOSE TO MY HEART (ones taken too early and why I RIDE - changing outcomes with eery pedal stroke and dollar raised): May this list stay unchanged for me and those close to me in 2025.

FINN, Arnold Crosby, Chuck Tobin, Dave Colonval, Dean Okamura, Ken Elmer, Steve Parker, Bruce Grimes, Lorranine Klassen, Brenda (Brown), Veronica Pichetto, Marshall Brome, Marlene Sundin, Owen (Callaghan), Mark and Anna Mannering, Anne Berger, Doris Fundy, Penny Barr, Karen Newman, Peter Wright, Susan Mott, Vanessa Murray, Eric Pouwels, Ron Burgess, Sean Gilbert, Brenda (McIntyre) Szabo, Leslie (Patti V), Cameron Heryot, Cheryl Burton, Ian Forsyth, Inge Michaelis, Debbie (Brent Fahl's sister), Pangi, Dave Gellatly, Dave "Trigger, and Martin Ellis-White. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT A LOVED ONES NAME HERE

Just thinking about the ride in 7 months brings back fond memories, laughter, joy, but also tears and sadness. I ride to give HOPE, and to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

I ride for those who have passed, I ride for those dealing with an active cancer, I ride for SURVIVORS (luckily there are many) and I ride for the FUTURE.

I ride becaue I CAN - I ride becaue it sometimes hurts, and it makes me feel alive and remember the pain I have endured and the pain of many others (I first penned this in 2009 when I was still in that "wait and see" period that all with cancer deal with. Reilly and Hannah were young still and I was very scared at times).

Interested in riding or volunteering for ride or TEAM FINN please reach out to me.

HUGS - Ron (aka Toeless in Tsawwassen/Medium Grey)

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